Sunday, March 22 Beaver Mines [Day 27] 0710-2010 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson).The temperature at 0710 was -9C and there was 5 cm of overnight snow on the ground; the high at 1700 and 1800 was 7C and it was 5C at 2010. Winds were SW and occasionally WSW all day at a remarkably constant velocity of 30-40 gusting 50 km/h to 1830 after which they dropped below 20 km/h. It was cloudless to 1130 when 20% very thin altocumulus developed and 30-80% thin altocumulus and altostratus then persisted to 1700 after which it was 100% altostratus for the rest of the day. Observing conditions after 1130 were excellent. Presumed high-level border negotiations last night resulted in migrant raptors again being rightly placed in the “essential” category and today produced a season-high total of 104 migrants of a season-high 9 species that moved between 1002 and 1942. The flight comprised a season-high 25 Bald Eagles (16a, 4sa, 5j), 1 adult male Northern Harrier, 1 adult Sharp-shinned Hawk that was the first for the season, 3 Red-tailed Hawks (1u light morph calurus and 2a harlani: 1 dark and 1 light), 1 adult light morph Ferruginous Hawk that was also a first migrant for the season, 6 Rough-legged Hawks (4 light, 2 dark), 63 Golden Eagles (56a, 4sa, 3j) and 1 adult female columbarius Merlin. Nine migrants were seen between 1000 and 1100 but only 7 more moved up to 1400 after which migration was steady with the next three hours producing 20, 19 and 12 birds respectively. 1700 to 1800 saw 5 birds and 1800-1900 4 birds and it appeared that the movement was winding-down for the day, but then a surprising 28 birds, that included 14 Bald Eagles, moved between 1900 and 1942. At Mount Lorette Lori Anderson reported a season-high count of 189 birds of 5 species in 12.83 hours that comprised 9 Bald Eagles (6a, 1sa3, 1 undifferentiated immature and 1u). 3 Northern Goshawks (2a, 1j), 3 light morphcalurus Red-tailed Hawks (2a, 1j), 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk, 1 unidentified Buteo, 168 Golden Eagles (103a, 7sa, 1j, 57u), 3 unidentified eagles and 1 small unidentified raptor. It is probable that a high number of these Golden Eagles moved on ridges to the west of Beaver Mines today. Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 20 Canada Geese, 7 Rock Pigeons, 1 Eurasian Collared Dove, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 1male Red-shafted Flicker, 1 Steller’s Jay, 4 Blue Jays, 2 American Crows, 34 Common Ravens, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 6 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3 American Robins, 23 European Starlings, 4 Evening Grosbeaks, 18 Pine Grosbeaks and 32 Dark-eyed Juncos (2 cismontanus and 30 montanus).

13 hours (305.3) BAEA 25 (143), NOHA 1 (3), SSHA 1 (1), NOGO 3 (14), RTHA 3 (6), FEHA 1 (1), RLHA 6 (48), GOEA 63 (383), MERL 1 (2) TOTAL 104 (602)

Sunday, March 22 [Day 18] 1045-1845 (Vance Mattson). The temperature at the start of observation was -2C and it rose to a high of 9C, but winds that were originally light SW became moderate to strong S and later W that made it feel much colder. It was cloudless to 1430 when 60% cumulus and altocumulus formed that became 100% stratus by 1730. After a week of fairly strong movement today saw only 8 migrants, 5 Bald Eagles (1a, 1sa, 3j) and 3 adult Golden Eagles, which moved as single birds between 1254 and 1759. Non-migrant birds were 9 Bald Eagles (6a, 3j) and 3 resident Golden Eagles (1a, 2j). Both of the juvenile Golden Eagles were seen hunting.

8 hours (84.25) BAEA 5 (86), GOEA 3 (250) TOTAL 8 (344)

Saturday, March 21 Beaver Mines [Day 26] 0715-2015 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0715 was 0C, the high at 1200 was 7C and it was again 0C at 2015. Winds were moderate SSW-WSW 10-20 gusting 30 km/h to 1300 after which they were ENE-NNE 10-15 km/h and finally N at 2000 with very light snow beginning at 2015. It was cloudless to 1300 when trace amounts to 30% cumulus developed to 1800 after which cloud cover was 100% stratus for the rest of the day. In an attempt to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, at midnight last night the Canada-US border was closed with the exception of passage of essential goods. It appears that migratory raptors fall into the category of inessential goods as not one was seen today despite ideal migration conditions, at least up to early afternoon. I recall that a similar coincidence occurred on the infamous date of September 11, 2001when all air traffic in North America was brought to a halt. I was counting at Mount Lorette where ideal migration conditions again produced zero migrants, and this proved to be the only day in the 101-day count when this happened! The only resident raptor seen today was an undifferentiated immature Bald Eagle that soared very low above the ridge and flew off to the SE at 1849. At Mount Lorette Blake Weis reported 23 migrants in a snow-shortened 8.67 hours that comprised 4 Bald Eagles (3a, 1j), 1u Sharp-shinned Hawk, 2 unidentified Buteos and 16  Golden Eagles (13a, 3u), a count very similar to that at Beaver Mines yesterday.  Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 50 Canada Geese that flew high to the NE at 1030, 7 Rock Pigeons, 1 Eurasian Collared Dove, 3 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 4 American Crows, 8 Common Ravens, 10 Black-capped Chickadees, 8 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3 American Robins, 13 European Starlings, a flock of 25 Bohemian Waxwings that flew low to the NE down the valley, 6 Evening Grosbeaks, 26 Pine Grosbeaks, 31 Dark-eyed Juncos (1 cismontanus and 30 montanus) and 1 male Red-winged Blackbird.

13 hours (292.3) TOTAL 0 (498)

Saturday, March 21 [Day 17] 1145-1930 (Vance Mattson). The temperature was initially 2C and reached a high of 9C before dropping to 7C at the end of observation. It was calm and cloudless to 1700 when 60% cumulus cloud cover and moderate NW winds developed. A total of 28 migrant raptors of 3 species moved sporadically between 1401 and 1916 comprising 11 Bald Eagles (9a, 2j), 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks and 15 Golden Eagles (13a, 1j, 1u). Birds generally moved low above the ridges but the last pulse between 1817 and 1916 involving 12 migrants (of which 8 were Bald Eagles), occurred at a great height above the valley to the east of the ridges above the site. Non-migrants were 9 Bald Eagles (7a, 2j) with two pair-flights observed, the resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks that were vocal near the site at 1436, and 4 Golden Eagles (2a, 2j) with the juvenile birds interacting. Spring is much more advanced west of the Rockies!

7.75 hours (76.25) BAEA 11 (81), RTHA 2 (4), GOEA 15 (247) TOTAL 28 (336)

Friday, March 20 Beaver Mines [Day 25] 0715-2015 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0720 was -15C the high at 1600 was 7C that dropped quickly to 0.5C at 1700 and was -4C at 2015. Winds were light N-NE to 1130 after which they were SW 20 gusting to 35 km/h to 1900 after which they were again light N-ENE. It was cloudless all day but after 1500 there was an unexpected and persistent shimmering heat haze above the ridge that made observation difficult. This probably was caused by the mixing of warm and cold air that was reflected in the sudden drop in temperature at the site after 1600. A total of 34 migrant raptors of a season-high 6 species were counted between 1046 and 1922 that comprised 10 adult Bald Eagles, 1 juvenile female Northern Harrier, 1 adult Northern Goshawk, 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks, 4 light morph Rough-legged Hawks and 16 Golden Eagles (15a, 1sa). Only 5 birds occurred before 1400 after which movement steadily increased and peaked at 10 birds between 1700 and 1800. At Mount Lorette Caroline Lambert reported 46 migrants in 12 hours that comprised 7 Bald Eagles (6a, 1sa), 37 Golden Eagles (35a, 2u) and 2 unidentified eagles. Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 1 Canada Goose, 4 Rock Pigeons, 1 Eurasian Collared Dove, 1 Downy Woodpecker, 1 male Red-shafted Flicker, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 21 American Crows that flew high to the SW late in the day, 34 Common Ravens, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 8 Mountain Chickadees, 194 European Starlings that included flocks of 100 and 60 flying high to the SW, 20 Pine Grosbeaks and 30 Dark-eyed [montanus] Juncos.

13 hours (279.3) BAEA 10 (118), NOHA 1 (2), NOGO 1 (11), RTHA 2 (3), RLHA 4 (42), GOEA 16 (320) TOTAL 34 (498)

Friday, March 20 [Day 16] 1130-1930 (Vance Mattson). It was another beautiful day with the temperature reaching 8C from a low of 1C and it was calm and cloudless. A total of 35 migrants were seen that comprised a season-high 22 Bald Eagles (14a, 2sa, 6j), 12 Golden Eagles (7a, 1sa, 4j) and 1 unidentified eagle. This is the first time this season that Bald Eagles have outnumbered Golden Eagles. Nine migrants moved before 1500 and 12 after 1600 with 1500-1600 producing 14 birds 10 of which were Bald Eagles. Non-migrants were 4 adult Bald Eagles and 2 resident Golden Eagles (1a, 1j). At Wasa Lake, on the way to the site, 6 young Bald Eagles were waiting for the ice to melt. They made several practice attempts at fish seen under the ice and one finally succeeded in catching a small fish after which it was vigorously pursued by the other eagles. In addition to the approximately 50 Canada Geese coming and going, 45 Tundra Swans were also active and included 25 that passed over Vance’s house when he returned home at 1945.

8 hours (68.6) BAEA 22 (70), GOEA 12 (232), UE 1 (2) TOTAL 35 (308)

Thursday, March 19 Beaver Mines [Day 24] 0720-2010 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0720 was -10C, the high at 1400 was -6C and it was again -10C at 2010. Winds were NE-ENE all day 7-16 km/h and cloud cover was 100% stratus all day with the exception of 1400-1640 when it was 80-90% cumulus. Light snow fell all day that completely or partially obscured the ridge with the exception of 1540 to 1640 when the snow stopped with 4 cm fresh on the ground, and the ridge completely cleared. After six days of zero or poor movement today produced 25 migrants comprising 1 adult Bald Eagle, 1 light morph Rough-legged Hawk and 23 Golden Eagles (21a, 1sa, 1u) between 1336 and 1639. The first birds started moving when persistent light snow was still falling and included 6 adult Golden Eagles that soared high together at 1351 before gliding high to the north. The movement ceased as soon as the snow resumed and although the ridge partially cleared again after 1900 no further birds were seen. There was a similar result at Mount Lorette where Cliff Hansen reported a count of 26 birds that included 23 Golden Eagles and first seasonal occurrences of a Sharp-shinned Hawk and 2 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks. Other birds seen at Beaver Mines were 2 Canada Geese, 8 Rock Pigeons, 1 Eurasian Collared Dove, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 male Red-shafted Flicker, 1 Northern Shrike, 1 Black-billed Magpie, 5 Common Ravens, 8 Black-capped Chickadees, 14 Mountain Chickadees, 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches, 9 European Starlings, 14 Bohemian Waxwings, 25 Evening Grosbeaks, 47 Pine Grosbeaks and 37 Dark-eyed Juncos (1 hyemalis, 1 cismontanus and 35 montanus).

12.83 hours (266.3) BAEA 1 (108), RLHA 1 (38), GOEA 23 (304) TOTAL 25 (464)

Thursday, March 19 [Day 15] 1200-1915 (Vance Mattson). The temperature ranged from 2C to 5C, winds were moderate SE between 1630 and 1700 but it was otherwise calm, and cloud cover was 70% thin to moderate altostratus, cumulus, cirrus and altocumulus that gave partly sunny conditions. There was another fairly strong raptor movement of 30 birds up to 1847 that comprised 8 Bald Eagles (5a, 3j), 1 adult light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawk and 21 Golden Eagles (18a, 2j, 1u). Thirteen migrants were seen before 1400 but subsequently movement became more sporadic with only 2 birds moving between 1600 and 1800 and 6 after. The last bird was a Bald Eagle that flapped north in the calm conditions. Non-migrants were 4 Bald Eagles (1a, 3j), the resident pair of Red-tailed Hawks, one of which again soared low over the site and single adult resident Golden Eagles that were seen on three occasions.

7.25 hours (60.5) BAEA 8 (48), RTHA 1 (2), GOEA 21 (220) TOTAL 30 (273)

Wednesday, March 18 Beaver Mines [Day 23] 0730-2000 (Peter Sherrington and Hilary Atkinson). The temperature at 0730 was -9C, the high at 1400 was -5C and it was -7C at 2000. Winds were variable and 0-18 km/h to 1100 and then unhelpful NE-ENE 7-20 km/h for the rest of the day. Cloud cover was initially 100% stratus and cumulus that produced light snow until 0830 when there was 4 cm fresh on the ground. The sky then cleared with 80% cumulus at 1000 reducing to 10% at 1200, 0% at 1300 and 1400 and 30% at 1500 but a persistent ice crystal haze combined with the bright sunshine made observation difficult and very uncomfortable. After 1600 low stratus developed for the rest of the day that occasionally obscured the top of the ridge and light snow again developed late in the day. The unfavourable winds and general conditions produced only one migrant: an adult Golden Eagle that flapped to the NW at 1745, and a non-migrant adult Bald Eagle perched and flying low in the valley was the only other raptor seen. By contrast, 13 hours of observation by Bill Wilson at Mount Lorette produced 8 Bald Eagles (7a, 1sa) and 113 Golden Eagles (78a, 1sa, 4j, 30u). It is unlikely that these birds moved on the ridges between Beaver Mines and the Continental Divide as the cloud there was even lower and the ridges appeared to be obscured all day. It appears that, as happened for much of last spring, the main eagle migration route was deflected to west of the Divide, a supposition supported by high counts at Steeples yesterday and today. Other birds seen here were 1 male Common Merganser that flew high to the NE at 1928, 15 Rock Pigeons, 1 Eurasian Collared Dove, 2 Downy Woodpeckers, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, 1 male Red-shafted Flicker, 1 Black-billed Magpie, a flock of 27 American Crows that flew high to the SW to roost at 1850, 7 Common Ravens, 6 Black-capped Chickadees, 10 Mountain Chickadees, 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, 20 Evening Grosbeaks, 31 Pine Grosbeaks, 1 American Tree Sparrow and 31 Dark-eyed Juncos (1 hyemalis and 30 montanus).

12.5 hours (253.5) GOEA 1 (281) TOTAL 1 (439)

Wednesday, March 18 Steeples [Day 14] 1145-1930 (Vance Mattson). The temperature rose to a high of 6C from a low of 2C, winds were periodically light W but mainly calm and it was cloudless with occasional traces of cumulus. The pleasant weather produced a season-high total of 98 migrants that moved between 1248 and 1859. The flight comprised a season-high 12 Bald Eagles (3a, 2sa, 7j) and a season-high 85 Golden Eagles (78a, 2sa. 3j, 2u) and 1 unidentified eagle. Movement was steady with 15 migrants seen before 1400 and the next 3 hours produced 12, 20 and 18 birds respectively before a peak hour between 1700 and 1800 saw the passage of 29 birds: only 4 birds were seen after 1800. Movement was both high and low but became increasingly high as the day progressed. Soaring kettles of 5 birds occurred once and of 4 birds twice, but movement was mainly gliding at moderate speeds. Non-migrants were 7 Bald Eagles (5a, 1sa) that included one observed pair-flight; an early-returning adult Sharp-shinned Hawk (the earliest resident bird last year was March 31); a pair of resident light morph calurus Red-tailed Hawks that soared low over the site at 1410 after which one bird undertook a long diagonal hunting stoop, and single adult resident Golden Eagles were seen on two occasions.

7.75 hours (53.25) BAEA 12 (40), GOEA 85 (199), UE 1 (1) TOTAL 98 (243)